West Brom debrief: Pressure cranks up on boss after late heartache, system change and player failings

Pressure

There is no doubt the heat is intensifying on Mason's position after 14 Championship fixtures at the helm.

As the head coach attested, 14th in the division and a measly goalscoring return of just 12 goals in that time is an unacceptable tally.

Albion supporters made their feelings known last Saturday after the dour home stalemate against Sheffield Wednesday and a response was hoped for - rather than expected - at The Valley.

Elements were better but even at 0-0 it might have felt a bit like the same old story as goal-shy Albion were blunt again despite creating more chances.

There appeared to be some applause from the away end probably appreciating a performance of effort and improvement but it still lacked so badly in the final third. But several had departed and others made their feelings known.

Mason will know as well as anybody, and said as much, that much more is expected of him and the home game against Oxford on Saturday before the international break looks a huge one for the head coach.

Only owners Bilkul will know where their level of tolerance is after the run of two wins in 10 and just three goals in six games. Bilkul made a change in dismissing Tony Mowbray in April and held outfor the man they wanted in Mason the following month.

Supporters' patience and belief has been stretched to the limit by the struggle for much of the season and in particular the lack of cutting edge and thrust in the final third.

Mason cut a an emotional figure in his post-match media duties. Usually he is calm and composed and tougher to read but he looked like, understandably, that finale had hit him hard. He faces tough days ahead.

System change

A factor that perhaps adds to the frustration is that Albion were certainly improved at The Valley and the better team on the balance of clear chances created.

It has been a struggle to carve open clear chances for several games but they did that on Tuesday, aided by a bold Mason switch.

He switched shape to a back three, made four personnel changes including one or two surprises like Mikey Johnston and Chris Mepham dropping out of the side but the shape seemed to be help Albion.

Aune Heggebo started well and is honest as the day is long but never looks like he will be in the place to score. He linked with Karlan Grant and Isaac Price well, at times, and the wing-back move got Samuel Iling-Junior into some decent positions.

It was a change from the 4-2-3-1 Mason has been welded to this season and, by and large, looked a change for the better despite the late despair.

Player blame

Clearly Tuesday's last-gasp hammerblow is not all on one man, though as Mason insisted afterwards it is his responsibility for performance, results and a badly-needed upturn.

But his players must surely have to address some poor personal failings at points - and particularly here.

Iling-Junior and Price both spurned a couple of chances each, certainly both should have found the net at least once. Albion are being painfully wasteful with some basic lack of quality all over the park, no more than in the final third.

Then, at the death, there is an inability to clear the lines after a poor set-piece and it eventually leads to Sonny Carey having too much space to shoot.

Goalkeeper Josh Griffiths, a penalty-saving hero in the first half, cannot adjust to a Mepham deflected and it slithers under him. Perhaps he should have saved it. It was another moment that went against Mason's Albion.